What to Expect

People participate in a variety of ways...People can be as involved as much or as little as they’d like. Some read the scriptures, others lead prayers. Instead of a full-length sermon, expect that many people will be sharing how God is guiding them, or how the week’s texts address what they’re facing.

Our pastor’s main roles on Sunday are to clarify the meaning of passages that are difficult to understand, often teaching on what they have historically meant to Christians, to facilitate discussion, and to provide the Eucharist. But the floor is open to all, as we encourage one another with our spiritual growth.

But we also use traditional liturgy...Liturgy means “work of the people.” Our services are based on the worship practices God gave to ancient Israel, which were then inherited by the earliest Christians. Ancient worship tends to focus more on God than on human emotions. This makes the work difficult sometimes, but highly rewarding.

We’re certainly honest about our feelings and where we are in life any given Sunday, but the ancient prayers and regular cycle of biblical readings help us to reorient our minds toward what God says is true and good about us.

The end result is something between a Catholic Mass and an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.​So wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, grab a cup of coffee on your way in, and participate as little or as much as feels comfortable. Our service is geared toward those who struggle, but our doors are open to all!

Sample Service

Come see what a difference an hour can make!

A typical service includes...

Preparing

We reflect on our week in silence

We confess to God the mistakes we've made over the week, or the good things we failed to do

We pass God's peace

Inviting

We hear and recite ancient hymns and psalms as the candles are lit... this has been done by Christians every night for nearly 2,000 years

Learning

Our pastor gives us the context for the weekly scriptures so we understand what we're about to read/hear

We read/hear from the Old and New Testament

We listen to a reading from the Gospel

In light of the readings and our experiences over the past week, we share whatever God has put on our hearts

Reciting

We recite the 12 Steps and the Serenity Prayer

We recite the Nicene Creed, one of the earliest statements of Christian faith

Praying

We pray the Lord’s Prayer, are led in structured prayer by a volunteer, and give thanks and ask for prayers as a group

The pastor prays traditional pastoral prayers (Collects) on behalf of the church, and prays for the mission of the church over the coming week